Abstract
WHISTLER measurements of nose frequency (ƒn) and time delay at this frequency (tn) give a ƒn, tn distribution well fitted by a ‘gyrofrequency’ model of electron density in the exosphere1: one for which the electron density is everywhere proportional to the magnetic field strength or gyrofrequency (ƒH). Since the electron density is directly proportional to the square of the plasma frequency (ƒ0) and uniquely determined by it we can express this model by the relation: 
The constant of proportionality, ƒa, has the dimensions of frequency and so might be called the ‘scale frequency’ of the exosphere. It is typically around one megacycle per second (as deduced from Smith's work1).
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References
Smith, R. L., Ph.D. dissertation, July 11, 1960, S.E.L. Tech. Rep. 6, Stanford University.
Smith, R. L., and Carpenter, D. L., J. Geophys. Res., 66, 2582 (1961).
Dowden, R. L., J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 20, 122 (1961).
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DOWDEN, R. ‘Scale Frequency’ of the Exosphere. Nature 195, 984–985 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/195984b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/195984b0
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